Plans for a Greggs bakery in Wiltshire have been dealt a blow after town councillors voiced their objection.
Chippenham Town Council has recommended Wiltshire Council reject a proposal to convert a vacant unit at Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate into a Greggs branch.
Councillors objected on the basis there was “insufficient evidence” the property had been actively marketed for employment use for at least six months.
Concerns were also raised about the lack of parking or cycling provision at the site, although some support was noted.
READ MORE: New Greggs to be considered among latest planning applications
Cllr Hayley Wilson said: “There isn’t a lot of parking around there anyway… it’s quite difficult.
“It’s a shame because it would be nice to have these (empty) units being used instead of having new ones pop up.”
Greggs said the scheme would create 10 full-time jobs at a disused unit and offer the area “social and economic benefits”.
A spokesperson added: “This application makes best use of a currently vacant unit, supporting the users of the industrial estate and wider area, whilst providing job opportunities, contributing positively to the local economy, bringing benefits to the local employment area in terms of enhanced facilities, meeting the needs of existing occupiers, and reducing journeys by car.”
A consultation on the scheme remains ongoing and Wiltshire Council is due to make a decision by Friday, July 26.
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